10 States Where New Credit Card Borrowing Is Changing Fastest

Credit card borrowing looks different depending on where you live, and the latest state-by-state numbers reveal some surprising movement. While some states carry enormous balances, other states have seen their average credit card debt climb much faster over the past year.

That distinction matters because a rising balance can signal a very different financial story from a high balance that barely changes. LendingTree’s latest analysis of more than 400,000 anonymized credit reports from the first quarters of 2025 and 2026 found that Arkansas posted the fastest growth, while several other states also recorded noticeable increases.

1. Arkansas

Arkansas sits at the top of the list, with average credit card debt rising 9.8% from the first quarter of 2025 to the first quarter of 2026. The average balance climbed from $5,194 to $5,704, giving the state the fastest increase in the latest LendingTree comparison.

That does not automatically mean Arkansas households suddenly went on a shopping spree. Credit card balances can rise when people use cards to cover repairs, medical bills, travel, groceries, or other expenses that outpace available cash, so the direction of the balance deserves attention even when the reason varies from household to household.

2. Colorado

Colorado follows closely, with average credit card debt increasing 8.4% over the same period. The average balance reached $9,319, which also puts Colorado among the states with the largest balances in the country.

That combination makes Colorado particularly interesting because rapid growth and a high existing balance can create a tougher starting point for anyone carrying debt month to month. A rising balance matters even more when a household pays interest, since each new purchase can stick around long after the original receipt disappears.

3. Nevada

Nevada saw average credit card debt grow 8.1%, pushing the average balance to $8,404. That gives Nevada one of the sharpest increases in the country while also placing it well above many states in overall card debt.

A growing balance does not necessarily spell financial trouble for every borrower, but it can become expensive quickly when someone makes only minimum payments. Credit card rates remain high, and LendingTree reported an average APR of 23.80% for new card offers in the latest data.

4. South Dakota

South Dakota posted a 6.6% increase, lifting its average credit card debt to $6,889. That growth rate puts the state ahead of several places with much larger balances.

This serves as a useful reminder that the fastest-changing states do not necessarily have the most debt. South Dakota’s numbers show how a state can move quickly even while its average balance remains below the levels seen in places such as New Jersey or Connecticut.

5. Delaware

Delaware recorded a 6.1% increase in average credit card debt between the two quarters. The average balance reached $8,163, placing the state among the higher-balance states as well as the faster-growing group.

That combination deserves a closer look because percentage growth can hide the dollar reality underneath it. A similar percentage increase can feel very different when it lands on a smaller balance versus an already substantial one, which makes both the starting balance and the direction of change worth watching.

6. Nebraska

Nebraska’s average credit card debt climbed 5.8% to $6,791. The increase places the state firmly among the faster-moving states in the latest comparison.

For individual households, the more useful question involves whether the balance gets paid in full each month. A household that charges more but clears the statement can face a very different financial outcome from one that steadily rolls the balance forward and adds another month’s interest.

7. Hawaii

Hawaii recorded a 5.4% increase, bringing its average credit card debt to $9,334. That figure ranks among the highest average balances in the nation, so the state’s movement combines a relatively large starting point with additional growth.

That matters because percentage increases tell only half the story. A modest-looking percentage applied to a large balance can add a meaningful amount of debt, especially when the borrower already carries a balance from month to month.

8. Connecticut

Connecticut saw average credit card debt rise 5.2%, reaching $9,645. The state ranks near the top nationally for average card debt, so its increase adds to an already sizable balance.

The distinction between borrowing and revolving debt matters here. Someone can use a credit card frequently without accumulating long-term debt if they pay the statement in full, while another borrower can add debt through relatively ordinary purchases simply because the balance never gets completely cleared.

9. Maine

Maine’s average credit card debt increased 4.3 to $7,421. Although its growth rate trails the states higher on this list, Maine still holds a high average credit card debt. The state is known for its gorgeous views and delicious seafood. Unfortunately, the amount of credit card borrowing has been creeping up too.

Maine is a state that has had slower growth and still carries a larger average balance. Borrowers should not treat a lower growth rate as a free pass when their own statement keeps getting bigger. It is always important to look at context when you are examining credit card data.

10. Texas

Texas rounds out the list with a 4.2% increase in average credit card debt, bringing the average balance to $8,369. Its enormous population and relatively high average balance make the change especially notable even though several smaller states posted faster growth.

With the cost of living increasing everywhere, especially in a state like Texas, there is a good chance that credit card borrowing and debt could rise in the years ahead. Texas is experiencing a major boom right now, in more ways than one.

The bigger takeaway involves momentum rather than a simple debt leaderboard. Across the country, credit card balances reached $1.263 trillion in the second quarter of 2026, showing just how much borrowing remains in the system.

The Credit Card Number That Matters Most Is the One on the Statement

State rankings can reveal interesting patterns, but they cannot tell a household whether its own credit card balance has become dangerous. The most useful warning sign often sits much closer to home: a balance that keeps rolling forward because the monthly payment no longer covers enough of the principal. That problem can turn a temporary expense into a stubborn debt problem surprisingly quickly.

The smartest response to rising borrowing does not involve panicking over a state ranking. It involves checking whether balances rise, whether payments cover more than the minimum, and whether new purchases fit comfortably within available cash flow. A credit card can remain a useful payment tool when the balance gets paid down consistently, but it becomes much less friendly when every new charge joins a growing pile of old ones. The map may show where borrowing is changing fastest, but the monthly statement shows what that change actually means for a household.

What do you think is driving the increase in credit card borrowing in these states, and have you noticed your own credit card habits changing lately?